Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

After Afghan Soldier Kills 4 Troops, French to Withdraw?

6 other coalition troops killed in helicopter crash

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 20, 2012 4:55 AM CST

(Newser) – France suspended its training programs in Afghanistan today after an Afghan National Army soldier shot and killed four French troops and wounded 16 others. The soldier, who opened fire at a base in eastern Afghanistan, has been arrested, the BBC reports. French President Nicolas Sarkozy says France may now withdraw from Afghanistan early. "The French army isn't in Afghanistan to be shot at by Afghan soldiers," he said.

In southern Afghanistan, six coalition troops, believed to be Americans, were killed in a helicopter crash. The Taliban claimed responsibility but coalition commanders say there was no enemy activity in the area at the time, the AP reports. The crash is the deadliest in Afghanistan since August last year, when a Chinook helicopter was shot down, killing 30 US troops and seven Afghan soldiers.

A French helicopter   takes off from the Nijrab  Forward   military base in eastern Afghanistan.
A French helicopter takes off from the Nijrab Forward military base in eastern Afghanistan.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
15%
Hilarious
6%
Intriguing
24%
Depressing
41%
Brilliant
2%
Scary
13%
Annoying
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Moon
Jan 20, 2012 11:40 AM CST
The French surrender. Sigh.
HarryBeaver
Jan 20, 2012 8:30 AM CST
Let them go back to shooting at each other, just as they were before we so rudely interrupted them.
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   World History Project   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne